Give racing its dueThe article entitled "Horse...

THE BALTIMORE EVENING SUN

Give racing its due

The article entitled "Horse Cents?" which appeared recently in The Evening Sun fails to reflect how important the horse industry is to the Maryland economy. This industry, in addition to trainers, jockeys, drivers, grooms and hot walkers, also employs veterinarians, restaurant help, truck drivers, farm managers, blacksmiths, clerks, receptionists, printers, television technicians, bookkeepers and many more people.

The horse industry is the third largest industry within Maryland, and horse racing contributes greatly to the strength of our state. Study has shown that the racing and breeding industry in Maryland has more than a $1 billion impact on the state's economy. The sponsorship of the Maryland Million and the active promotion of the equine industry in general is money well invested.

Ross Peddicord conveys the misleading notion that the state's program consists of spending $50,000 to hold a party on the infield. In fact, the Department of Economic and Employment Development has formulated a program designed to protect an industry that includes hundreds of breeding farms, thousands of racetrack employees and countless horsemen. More importantly, the DEED efforts support the ancillary businesses that cross paths with the racing community. The entire economy stands to benefit from the continued health of the horse industry and its many facets.

One such facet that benefits directly from the Maryland Breeders programs, such as the Maryland Million and sire stakes programs, is the breeding business. Even though a Maryland-bred filly might be owned in another state, she is a walking commercial for promoting the Maryland product. Many hard-working men and women depend on the breeding industry to support their families. We commend Gov. Schaefer's administration for taking positive steps to support this major industry.

As for the comment that the state contributes $4.8 million to state-bred horses, it is true that the state authorized, through legislation, a state-bred program. However, the funding of this program is generated from the pari-mutuel handle, thus the contribution comes directly from the racing patron who wagers at the track, not from state funds.

Times have been tough for everyone. You need look no further than the backstretch at Pimlico or Rosecroft to see the effects of recession. Maryland is making an active attempt to invest in the future. DEED is working to keep this most important industry healthy.

I can't believe Mr Rosenthal calls himself a sportswriter. Maryland football, for the past five years, has played one of the 10 toughest schedules in the country. But Mr. Rosenthal comments that Maryland will no longer get away with playing Western Michigan, much less a Division I-AA school. How can someone who supposedly calls himself a sportswriter make this kind of a mistake? All you have to do is look at this year's schedule and you realize that he doesn't know what he's talking about. I think he might be talking about Clemson, who always has two or three easy games on its schedule (Appalachian State and Temple are this year's).

I think Mr. Rosenthal should do everyone in Baltimore a favor and quit. He's not a sportswriter, and will never be one.

Rick McDonald

Baltimore

Stadium with no name

Perhaps the new stadium should not be given a name. After all, most people say they are going to the ballgame, or to the stadium. And the news media reports on the games by team name and city, much more than they mention the stadium name.

Harry E. Bennett

Jr. Baltimore

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